Final answer:
Acid-fast bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis have cell walls rich in mycolic acids, which are known for their protective properties against dehydration and immune response. This waxy substance necessitates the use of specific acid-fast staining methods for visualization and contributes to the slow growth and chronic nature of the diseases caused by these bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis have a distinct cell wall that contains lipids made from mycolic acids. These mycolic acids, which are waxy in nature, provide a protective barrier around the bacterium, shielding it from dehydration and the defenses of the immune system, such as phagocytosis. These substances are so effective at protecting the bacteria that traditional Gram staining techniques are inadequate, necessitating the use of acid-fast staining to visualize the organisms under a microscope.
The presence of rich mycolic acid content also imparts a characteristic slow growth to these bacteria and contributes to the chronic nature of the diseases they cause, such as tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs, can be spread by inhalation of respiratory droplets carrying as few as 10 bacterial cells. Due to the resilience provided by the mycolic acids, treatment of diseases caused by these bacteria requires a long-term combination of antibiotics.
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